Cleaning device for smooth surfaces, especially for cleaning windows

Abstract

A cleaning device ( 100 ) for smooth surfaces, especially for cleaning windows. The inventive cleaning device comprises a handle ( 1 ) and a contact element ( 10 ) that is mounted on one end of said handle ( 1 ) and that extends in a substantially transversal direction to the handle ( 1 ). The contact element is provided with a cleaning surface element ( 4 ) on at least the one front face thereof that contacts the surface to be cleaned. The cleaning surface element can be wetted with a cleaning liquid in a controlled manner. A zone ( 5 ) is provided behind the cleaning surface element for the distribution and temporary storage of the cleaning liquid. The handle ( 1 ) is linked with a blade element ( 8 ) that is part of the contact element. The front face of said blade element is detachably linked with a direct removing element ( 7 ) that carries the cleaning surface element ( 4 ).

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. In a cleaning device for smooth surfaces, particularly for cleaning windows, comprising the following components: 
       (a) an elongate handgrip;  
       (b) a contact element mounted on one end of the handgrip, and extending substantially perpendicular to the handgrip, said contact element having a front side and having an area behind the front side for the temporary storage and distribution of the cleaning fluid; and  
       (c) a surface cleaning element, capable of being moistened with cleaning fluid, disposed on the front side of the contact element for making contact with the surface to be cleaned,  
       (d) the handgrip being formed as a substantially cylindrical hollow body serving as a reservoir for at least a part of the cleaning fluid;  
       the improvement 
       wherein the area for the temporary storage and distribution of the cleaning fluid includes an at least partially-hollow, flat dirt-removing element with at least one capillary matrix distributing the cleaning fluid,  
       wherein the surface cleaning element is attached to the dirt-removing element so that it may be removed,  
       and wherein the contact element is provided with a pump, which is operative to transfer the cleaning fluid to the dirt-removing element, and a recess in the area where it connects with the handgrip, said recess at least partially accommodating an actuation lever for a the pump.  
     
     
       2. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pump is a piston pump. 
     
     
       3. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the area for the temporary storage and distribution of the cleaning fluid of the dirt-removing element is connected with a tube through which the cleaning fluid may be pumped. 
     
     
       4. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the dirt-removing element includes a slot on its front side parallel to its upper edge that feeds into a second slot, extending toward the center of the dirt-removing element, that in turn ends at an opening through the dirt-removing element, by means of which the cleaning fluid may be pumped into the first and second slots and into the capillary matrix. 
     
     
       5. Cleaning device recited in  claim 4 , wherein the capillary matrix is congruent with the first slot of the dirt-removing element. 
     
     
       6. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein a front side of the surface cleaning element, for making contact with the surface to be cleaned, is formed by a section of moisture-permeable textile or sponge-like material. 
     
     
       7. Cleaning device recited in  claim 6 , wherein the section is made of a cloth selected from the group consisting of woven fabric, knitted fabric, and micro-fiber fleece. 
     
     
       8. Cleaning device recited in  claim 7 , wherein the cloth is removably attached to at least one of the surface cleaning element, the dirt-removing element and the front side of the contact element and surrounds it as a hood. 
     
     
       9. Cleaning device recited in  claim 6 , wherein the surface cleaning element is removably attached to the dirt-removing element. 
     
     
       10. Cleaning device recited in  claim 9 , wherein the surface cleaning element is removably attached with at least one hook and loop fastener to the dirt-removing element. 
     
     
       11. Cleaning device recited in  claim 6 , wherein the section is dirt-absorbing on both sides. 
     
     
       12. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the dirt-removing element is provided with a squeegee strip made of synthetic rubber material and mounted on its upper edge. 
     
     
       13. Cleaning device recited in  claim 12 , wherein the output plate is provided with a strip extending above a flat side that engages in a slot on the dirt-removing element that serves as a securing element for the squeegee strip. 
     
     
       14. Cleaning device recited in  claim 13 , wherein the dirt-removing element includes an inclined reinforced strip and wherein the squeegee strip is secured in the slot by the reinforced strip and the strip of the output plate. 
     
     
       15. Cleaning device recited in  claim 13 , wherein the squeegee strip is secured in the slot so that it may swivel. 
     
     
       16. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the contact element is formed as one piece with the handgrip. 
     
     
       17. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the dirt-removing element is removably connected with the contact element. 
     
     
       18. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the dirt-removing element includes an output plate provided with the capillary matrix positioned adjacent the surface cleaning element. 
     
     
       19. Cleaning device recited in  claim 18 , wherein the handgrip is attached to the handle extension by means of an adapter. 
     
     
       20. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the handgrip is connected with the contact element so that it may swivel. 
     
     
       21. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the handgrip is attached to the contact element by a bayonet connection. 
     
     
       22. Cleaning device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the handgrip is attached to a handle extension by a connection selected from the group consisting of a threaded, clamping, and ratcheting connector. 
     
     
       23. Cleaning device recited in  claim 22 , wherein the handle extension is a telescoping variable-length handle extension.